Case for various optical discs

ABSTRACT

Improvement in a case for various optical discs, having the inner portion thereof provided with at least one glove-like envelope ( 7 ) made of soft material, defined by two juxtaposed walls ( 8 - 9 ), both being preferably of circular shape, with one of them ( 8 ) having the edge thereof substantially larger or provided with an extension ( 10 ) properly attached ( 11 ) to the inner face of binding ( 4 ) or a place adjacent thereto, whereas the other wall ( 9 ) has a preferably semi-circular shape, with the side shortened by a cut ( 12 ) preferably facing the attachment ( 11 ), thereby to configure a pocket-like fitting ( 13 ) for penetration and housing of any optical disc, such as: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, CD-ROM, CD-DA, CD-I and/or others.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] More particularly, the present invention refers to technical and functional improvements specially developed in a plastic material case designed to characterize internal means intended to house any optical disc, so that it can be maintained with a more appropriate protection against scratches, particularly in respect of the inner portions of the case proper, that may eventually cause harm to the disc at the time when it is placed within or removed from said case.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] As is known, there are currently different types of optical discs for digital storage of audio or data and computer applications. Some of those discs have a small diameter, of about 80 mm and others are larger, of about 120 mm, where the data recording is done on one face only, on a surface previously prepared for such purpose. Such discs are usually known by their acronyms, such as CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, CD-ROM, CD-DA, CD-I and/or others.

[0003] Such optical discs are usually stored in cases having different construction characteristics, however they comprise a basic construction shape, usually defined by two parts hinged to each other, the closing and opening of which is done under pressure, and also one of the hinged portions possesses internally therein a central fitting portion for the equally centered orifice of the disc, where the disc is maintained in a fitted position while it is stored inside the case. Naturally, other cases show different construction shapes, but maintaining the same basic concept, that is, fittings of plastic material obtained from the material of the case proper.

[0004] In some instances the cases are more sophisticated, such as those employed by rental shops, providing external details for the fitting of covers and other printed material; however, the inner shape for attachment of the disc is generally done in the manner previously described, that is, by means of male fittings or recesses.

[0005] There is no doubt that the conventional cases can provide some protection to the optical disc, however they suffer from some restrictions in respect of the inner means for fitting of said disc whereby, even though they provide a desired stability, the disc must be handled with a certain amount of care, which does not happen, for example, with the rental shop users and, accordingly, the disc's recorded surface becomes a target to the fittings themselves at the time when it is places within the case, causing some damage thereto, particularly scratches, some of which may even jeopardize the disc's operation.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An improvement in the case's inner portion, so that it may include a kind of envelope or glove made of a soft material, such as a textile or malleable synthetic material known as non-woven textile. This glove can generally be made of many materials, including felts, however in large-scale production a substantially malleable and soft laminar material would be optimum, the constructive shape of which is directly related to the disc's circular shape, that is one side or a wall of the glove has a generally circular shape, having its edge attached to the case's inner hinged portion, whereas its other wall has a somewhat semi-circular shape. With this configuration, said envelope or glove operates as a small pocket to receive the optical disc, and will maintain it protected within the case in a stable manner, also with a great advantage, its placement or removal can be done without any great amount of care, since the disc's recorded surface is not contacted by the rigid portions of the plastic case, providing said disc an additional protection not found in conventional cases.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] For a better understanding of the present invention, a detailed description thereof is made below, with references to the appended drawing, the only figure of which illustrates a perspective of the case in the open position, and markedly displaying the internal envelope to receive the optical disc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with the above illustration and the details thereof, the present improvement is for application in different types of cases (1) usually manufactured of plastic material, having two cover-like portions (2-3) interconnected to each other by a hinged binding (4), also the two portions (2-3) possess walls on the perimeter thereof and other details (6); in addition, some of them cooperate to close the case with a smooth locking and further, the external portions of the case may or may not include details for the fitting of covers and other types of printed material; however, these and other details are common in many cases, particularly those employed in rental shops.

[0009] The present case is characterized in that its inner portion includes at least one glove-like envelope (7) for an optical disc, with this glove being manufactured of a soft material, defined by two juxtaposed walls (8-9), both being preferably circular, with one of them (8) being provided with a substantially larger edge or extension (10) properly attached (11) to the inner face of the binding (4) or an adjacent place, whereas the other wall (9) has a preferably semi-circular shape, the side of which, being shortened by a cut (12) is preferably turned to the same attachment point (11), thereby configuring a pocket-like fitting (13) for penetration and housing of any optical disc, such as: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, CD-ROM, CD-DA, CD-I and/or others.

[0010] As can be seen, the optical disc (not shown) is housed within a protecting glove (7) inserted in a plastic box or case (1), thereby having the necessary means to provide a remarkable ease of removal and placement of said optical disc within the globe and inside the case.

[0011] On the other hand, said glove (7) provides all means required for a perfect handling, protection of the disc during transportation and storage.

[0012] In a first construction variant, the glove (7) is kept loose within the case (1), maintaining the same protection for the optical disc.

[0013] The attachment (11) of glove (7) can be done in several manners, such as: mechanical attachment by clamps or pins of the box or case proper (1), chemical attachment using glues of any nature or by welding.

[0014] Glove (7) has a variable outer contour, adapted to the type of plastic case; accordingly, it may or may not follow the plastic case's dimensions, geometry and shape. It should be emphasized that there is a possibility of altering the plastic case proper available in the market, placing the glove therein in order to better house the optical disc.

[0015] The walls (8-9) of glove (7) can be formed of two or more layers, being of the same or different materials.

[0016] Wall (8) facing the base of case (1) is preferably complete and the other wall (9) facing the cover of case (1) is partial or incomplete, with a portion of the optical disc being visible, in order to remove it for use.

[0017] Wall (9) formed of one or more layers facing the cover may have any shape or geometry, or an inversion of layers can be done, these being variables comprised in the present invention.

[0018] Walls (8-9) of glove (7) have the edges thereof properly united, except on the open section (12), with this joining being made by sewing, welding, gluing or any other appropriate means.

[0019] Eventually, wall (9) may fully cover wall (8), with provision of a quick lock therebetween on the open side (12).

[0020] Glove (7) can be manufactured of different materials, synthetic or otherwise, being flexible, semi-rigid, rigid or hybrid, with combination of different materials, provided that these are appropriate for the protection and housing function, and for ease of removal of the optical disc at the time of utilization thereof Accordingly, the glove can be manufactured of textile, non-woven material, leather, paper/carton, plastic film, etc.

[0021] Finally, glove (7) may have the walls (8-9) thereof printed with legends, drawings and all sorts of signals, for decorative or informative purposes, so that the portion of the invention can also be used as a communication means with the user, not only for advertising and propaganda in general, but also to establish any kind of additional information, maintaining however the main function of the assembly, which is to facilitate the handling, protection and housing of the optical disc. 

1) Improvement in a case for various optical discs, wherein the inner portion thereof includes at least one glove-like envelope (7) made of soft material, defined by two juxtaposed walls (8-9), both being preferably circular-shaped, with one of them being (8) having the edge thereof substantially larger or being provided with an extension (10) properly attached (11) to the inner face of the binding (4) or a place adjacent thereto, whereas the other wall (9) has a preferably semi-circular shape, with the side thereof shortened by a cut (12) preferably facing the same side of attachment (11), thereby to configure a pocket-like fitting (12) for penetration an housing of any optical disc. 2) Improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein - in a first construction variation, glove (7) is kept loose within case (1). 3) Improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the attachment (11) of glove (7) is made in a mechanical manner, through clamps or pins of the box or case proper (1) or chemical attachment, using glues or any nature or by welding. 4) Improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outer shape of glove (7) follows the optical disc's geometry or not. 5) Improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the walls (8-9) of glove (7) are formed of two or more layers, of the same or different materials. 6) Improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the wall (8) facing the base of case (1) is preferably complete and the other wall (9) facing the cover of case (1) is partial or incomplete, with a portion of the optical remaining visible. 7) Improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein—in a constructive variation—wall (9) fully covers wall (8), with a quick lock being provided therebetween on the open side (12) thereof 